At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide strategic legal advice on lending, savings, and customer propositions.
- Company: Join a purpose-led organisation with a strong ethical foundation.
- Benefits: 28 days holiday, annual bonus, private medical insurance, and pension contributions.
- Other info: Flexible working patterns available; recognised as a 'Great Place to Work'.
- Why this job: Influence key product decisions and support fair customer outcomes in a growing organisation.
- Qualifications: Post-qualification experience as a solicitor or equivalent, with expertise in financial services law.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
As Lead Legal Counsel - Products & Customer, the Lead Legal Counsel will provide strategic legal advice across the Group's lending, savings and wider customer propositions.
Working closely with senior stakeholders, the role will help shape product development, manage legal and regulatory risk, and support the delivery of fair customer outcomes.
This is a highly visible position within a growing organisation of around 6,000 colleagues, offering the opportunity to influence decisions that sit at the heart of the Society's business model.
The Lead Legal Counsel role can be based in either Manchester or Coventry in a hybrid business working model at least once a week from either office.
- Your Key Responsibilities will include (but by no means be limited to):
- Providing strategic legal advice on retail savings, lending, bank accounts and wider customer products.
- Supporting product development and business change activity by identifying legal and regulatory considerations early in the decision-making process.
- Advising stakeholders on legal risk, regulatory change and customer-related matters, delivering practical and commercially focused solutions.
- Supporting product proposition and development, including advising a wide range of stakeholders on product design, customer journeys and communications, operational processes and procedures, policies and governance.
- Building trusted relationships across the business, influencing stakeholders and supporting sound risk-based decision making.
- Managing external legal advisers and contribute to continuous improvement across the Legal function.
- Leading on complex legal issues across all Product & Customer areas
Our benefits include
- 28 days holiday a year plus bank holidays and a holiday buy/sell scheme
- Annual discretionary bonus scheme
- Personal pension with matched contributions
- Life assurance (6 times annual salary)
- Private Medical Insurance
About You
Join a purpose-led organisation at an exciting time of growth.
Following the acquisition of The Co-operative Bank, we are now a Group of around 6,000 colleagues and the second largest building society in the UK.
As Lead Legal Counsel - Products & Customer, you’ll provide strategic legal advice on lending, savings and wider customer propositions that sit at the heart of our business.
Working closely with senior stakeholders, you’ll help shape product decisions, manage legal risk and support the delivery of good customer outcomes in a highly regulated environment.
For this role you’ll need to have
- Established post-qualification experience with prior qualification as a solicitor, barrister or equivalent legal professional.
- Strong expertise in financial services law and regulation such as lending, savings, mortgages, consumer credit, payment services and conduct regulation.
- Ability to provide pragmatic, commercially focused legal advice to senior stakeholders.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the confidence to build trusted relationships across a business.
- Established experience of interpreting regulatory change and translating complex requirements into practical actions.
- Strong drafting, negotiation, analytical and risk management capabilities.
Experience in these areas would be helpful
- In-house legal experience within a financial services organisation.
- Experience supporting property-related legal matters or complex customer disputes.
- Experience managing external legal counsel and advisers.
About us
In 2025, Coventry Building Society purchased The Co-operative Bank.
Bringing together our purpose-led building society with the UK’s original ethical bank was the start of an exciting journey.
Trusted by over four million people, we’re a mutually owned business free from shareholders, and with our combined experience of almost 300 years, our ethics and dedication will continue to guide us.
Together, we have shared values and an ethical approach towards our members, customers and colleagues.
We’re officially recognised as a ‘Great Place to Work’ and our benefits go beyond basic pay, with a discretionary bonus scheme, a culture of reward and recognition and comprehensive support for wellbeing.
We’re serious about equality, of race, age, faith, disability, and sexual orientation and we celebrate diversity.
By working together, we know you’ll build more than just a career with us.
Flexibility and why it matters
We understand the need for flexibility, so wherever possible, we’ll consider alternative working patterns.
Have a chat with us before you apply to see what the possibilities are for this role.
Proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer
We’re proud to offer an interview or assessment to every disabled applicant who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies.
As part of the application process, disabled applicants can opt in for the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.
If there are ever occasions where it is not practicable to interview all candidates that meet the essential criteria, such as when we receive a high number of applications, we commit to interviewing disabled candidates who best meet the minimum essential and desirable criteria.
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Lead Legal Counsel in Coventry employer: Coventry Building Society
The Coventry Building Society is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a supportive work culture where innovation thrives. With a focus on team-led hybrid working, employees enjoy flexibility in their schedules while being part of a skilled technical team dedicated to continuous improvement. This role not only provides opportunities for leadership development but also fosters a collaborative environment that values each individual's contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Legal Counsel in Coventry
✨Get Involved in Law Societies
Join local law societies and attend their events – they're often a goldmine for networking and job opportunities in the legal field. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other budding lawyers and experienced solicitors who could provide vital insights and connections.
✨Tap into Online Legal Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online platforms like LinkedIn and specific legal forums. Get active in discussions or share your thoughts on recent legal developments – this not only builds your visibility but also showcases your passion and knowledge in law.
✨Attend Career Fairs and Workshops
Look out for career fairs and workshops specifically focused on law. Many law firms, including Coventry Building Society, will be scouting for fresh talent, so bring your A-game and don’t shy away from making a memorable impression.
✨Leverage Your University’s Career Services
If you’re still in university or have recently graduated, latch onto your career services! They often have connections with law firms looking for graduates and can guide you through the application process tailored for the legal sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Legal Counsel in Coventry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Legal Knowledge:When applying for a full-time role in legal services at Coventry Building Society, make sure to demonstrate your understanding of key legal principles and areas of law relevant to the position. Include any specific coursework, modules, or certifications, like LPC or BPTC qualifications, that showcase your legal expertise directly on your CV.
Showcase Your Research Skills:In the legal field, strong research skills are crucial. Use your application to illustrate how you've utilised these skills in past studies or work experiences – whether that's through past internships or significant projects. Mention any legal databases or tools you’re proficient in, as this can give you an edge.
Tailor That Cover Letter!:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make it personal by expressing your genuine interest in Coventry Building Society and the specific role of Lead Legal Counsel. Talk about why you want to be part of their team, how your unique experiences align with their values, and why you’re passionate about the legal sector.
Stay Formal but Friendly:While we all know the legal world can be pretty formal, don’t be afraid to let a bit of personality shine through in your written application. Use a respectful tone, but feel free to inject a little warmth; this approach can help you stand out and show you're a great fit for Coventry Building Society’s culture!
How to prepare for a job interview at Coventry Building Society
✨Know Your Legal Principles
Brush up on foundational legal principles relevant to the specific area of law you’re applying for, whether it’s corporate, criminal, or family law. We might get asked situational questions to test your knowledge, so being articulate about key concepts will make you stand out.
✨Be Ready for Case Studies
Full-time legal roles often involve case studies during interviews. Prepare to analyse a hypothetical case and discuss your approach to it. Practising this with a peer or mentor can help us refine our reasoning and articulate a solid legal argument.
✨Show Off Your Research Skills
As legal professionals, strong research skills are a must. Have examples ready of how you've effectively used legal databases or conducted thorough legal research in your past experiences. It's a great way to demonstrate your readiness for the role at Coventry Building Society.
✨Exude Professionalism and Confidence
In the legal field, professionalism is key. During the interview, we should maintain good eye contact and communicate clearly to show that we’re not just knowledgeable, but also confident. This can make a positive impression on your potential colleagues at Coventry Building Society.
